In a bid to curb government expenditure, President Bola Tinubu has announced significant reductions in the number of officials accompanying him and other top government officials on foreign trips.
The move, described as part of “massive cost-cutting measures,” extends across the entire federal government apparatus, affecting the president, vice president, and the first lady.
Presidential Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed that local security agencies would now handle the president’s protection during state visits, reducing the reliance on a large contingent from Abuja.
The same directive applies to Vice President Kashim Shettima and First Lady Remi Tinubu.
For international travels, Tinubu has imposed limits on ministers, allowing only four members of their staff to accompany them. Heads of government agencies are now restricted to two staff members on any trip.
Tinubu himself will not travel with more than 20 individuals, while the first lady’s entourage is capped at five. Similarly, the vice president and his wife will be limited to five members each on official international trips.l
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On local trips, Tinubu will be accompanied by a maximum of 25 staff members, while the first lady and the vice president are restricted to 10 and 15 staff members, respectively.
Ngelale emphasized the president’s determination to bring sanity and prudence to government spending, signaling an end to perceived wastage.
All federal agencies, including the offices of the federal President, Vice President, and First and Second Ladies are bound by this directive.
The move comes in response to public criticism following Nigeria’s large delegation to the COP28 Climate Change conference in Dubai. Ngelale urged strict compliance with the new measures, warning of penalties for non-compliance.
